Centre for Democratic Develop (CDD) Ghana has said there is a need for the country to intensify “advocacy for youth inclusion in policymaking” as its afrobarometer survey has revealed that 54 per cent of Ghanaians believe for the country to develop the wisdom of the country’s elders should be listened rather than fresh ideas from the youth.
The report of the survey was released on International Youth Day (IYD) which is observed each year on 12 August.CCIt is a day set aside by the United Nations (UN) to draw attention to youth-centered legal and cultural issues.
This year’s celebration is being marked on the theme: “Youth Engagement for Global Action.”
This year’s theme seeks to “highlight the ways in which the engagement of young people at the local, national and global levels can be enhanced, speaks to the core deficit of youth participation in the governance architecture.”
CDD’s survey report released on Wednesday, 12 August 2020, however, noted that one-third of Ghanaians agree that the country should seek fresh ideas from young people in order for it to develop.
“Only about one-third (36%) of Ghanaians agree with the idea that “in order for our country to do well, we should listen more to fresh ideas from young people.” Instead, a majority (54%) say that “we should listen more to the wisdom of our elders,” including 40% who “agree very strongly” with this view.
This is a minority view across “key socio-demographic groups” including the youth themselves.
The survey further indicated that: “Men (40%) and respondents with post-secondary education (40%) are somewhat more likely to emphasise listening to youth than are women (32%) and citizens without formal education (30%)”
While almost two-thirds (64%) of youth say they occasionally or frequently discuss political matters with friends and family – about the same proportion as among older age cohorts. And in terms of political participation, youth are about as likely as their elders to have been engaged in 2016 electoral activities such as attending a campaign rally (31% among those aged 18-35), working for a candidate or party (17%), and being contacted by a political party (22%).
However, they are less likely than older citizens to have attended a community meeting (43%), gotten together with others to raise an issue (39%), and contacted leaders during the previous 12 months.
Meanwhile, CDD is of the opinion that on International Youth Day, these findings point to the need to intensify advocacy for youth inclusion in policymaking.